I have heard that a vaccine may be available some day to help prevent bad breath in dogs and cats. Is this true?

Samuel, Boise, ID

It is true. However, the vaccine is in the research stage and it may not be available for several years, if at all. And preventing bad breath would be a fringe benefit of the vaccine, not its main purpose.

Most bad breath in pets is caused by dental infections. Since pets don’t brush their teeth after each meal, food adheres to the teeth. Bacteria grow on the food, and then move into the gums and bones around the teeth, where they cause serious problems for the body. Bacteria also smell bad, which is why many pets have bad breath.

Although many different bacteria grow on the teeth, researchers are looking into a vaccine against one of the worst ones. If effective, this would slow the progress of dental disease in pets who receive it.

It is extremely unlikely that the vaccine could serve as an effective substitute for professional periodontal work or home care (such as brushing your pet’s teeth). However, it could serve as a useful tool in the fight against dental disease.

Also, remember that the vaccine’s main purpose would be to help fight against the many adverse health consequences of dental disease in pets. These include pain, weight loss, chronic inflammation, abscesses, sinus infections, broken jaws, diabetes, and possibly cancer among many others. However, the vaccine just might fight bad breath, too.

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Dear Dr. Barchas,

Can animals get sunburns on their noses or other body parts? And if so, how can I protect my dog from the sun (besides keeping her indoors all day)?

Brandi Kitchener, ON, Canada

Excessive sun can burn both dogs and cats. And, like people, both species can develop skin tumors from excessive sunning. Fortunately, most pets have a major defense against the sun that people lack: fur.

The risk your dog faces depends on her color, the length of her fur, and her lifestyle. Dogs with short light coats (like Dalmatians) are more likely to burn. So are dogs that live in sunnier climates and lead active, outdoorsy lifestyles. That said, the health benefits of an active lifestyle outweigh the risk of sunburn in most dogs.

Some dogs will develop a discolored area on the top of their nose if they spend too much time in the sun. The area can progress to a red ulcer that may require veterinary attention. These dogs should avoid being outdoors during peak sun hours in summer.

Cats with all-white faces may develop scabs around the ears, eyes, and nose. Over time, the scabs may turn into a type of skin tumor called squamous cell carcinoma. Exposure to the sun is not required for this to happen, but it definitely makes it more likely. Cats with all-white faces, as well as hairless cats such as Sphynxes, should not go outside during peak sun hours.

Some people apply sunscreen to high risk pets. This works best on the ears and head, where it can’t be licked off.

Finally, don’t panic if you catch your dog or cat sunning itself every now and then. Most pets can soak up quite a few rays before they run into trouble.

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Hi Dr. B,

My dog has become very itchy the last few weeks. He is scratching himself all over, especially on his back. He is not losing hair, and his skin isn’t red or irritated. What causes this, and how can I help him?

Charlotte, Los Angeles

Your dog probably has allergies. Although people with allergies usually sneeze or suffer watery eyes and sinus congestion, in pets itching is the most common symptom. Cats may develop itching or scabs on the abdomen, the base of the tail, or around the neck and face. Dogs frequently become itchy on the tops of their feet, in their armpits and groin, and along their back.

Generally speaking, three things cause allergies in pets: fleas, pollen, and food.

Of the three, fleas are by far the worst offenders. In areas where fleas are endemic, the first step to help an itchy pet should always be flea control. Paradoxically, it is rare to find fleas on a pet who is allergic to them, because they will groom themselves until the fleas are gone. Yet just an occasional bite can be enough to cause severe irritation. Therefore, I recommend regularly applying Advantage or Frontline to all itchy pets if they live in flea country.

Pollen and food also cause allergies. Your veterinarian can recommend a variety of medicines, tests, and special diets to help address these allergies. I do not advocate trying to treat these types of allergies on your own.

As any hay fever sufferer can tell you, there is no cure for allergies. However, with proper intervention, most pets with allergies lead normal, comfortable lives.

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I have heard a lot about feeding your dog meat bones. I have a teacup Poodle, about five pounds, and she loves beef ribs. Could this be bad for her?

Beverly, Claremont, NC

Giving bones to dogs is so common that it is a cliché. And, frankly, plenty of dogs have been gnawing on bones all their lives without problems. So why is it controversial?

In fact, giving meat bones to dogs is a risky proposition. Most people know that dogs can break chicken bones into pieces and swallow them, with very serious consequences. However, chicken bones are not unique in this fashion. Just about any bone can break when fed to a dog. If the dog swallows the fragments, they may lodge in the intestines, and surgery may be required to extract them. I have removed many bone fragments from dogs in this fashion.

If a bone is too strong to fragment in the dog’s mouth, then a different problem can occur: fractured (broken) teeth. Dozens of my patients have broken their teeth while biting down on bones. These injuries can be extremely painful and may require expensive dental surgery to correct, often by extracting the tooth.

Finally, some dogs, especially those who aren’t used to them, will suffer from diarrhea or vomiting after receiving bones.

There are many chew toys, including Greenies and Kongs, that tend to cause fewer problems. I recommend these products instead of meat bones.

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